Runwood believes in Dignity for everyone every day. There is an ongoing campaign, and in your home there is a dignity board which shows the theme of the month.

Dignity must be at the centre of everything we do if we are to achieve high quality, person-centred care and support.

It's important that people with dementia are treated with respect and that their dignity is maintained. It is also important to remember that a person with dementia is still a unique and valuable human being, despite their illness.

Dignity focuses on the value of every person as an individual. It means respecting other’s views, choices and decisions, not making assumptions about how people want to be treated and working with care and compassion.

We can show our respect to people by listening carefully, guarding modesty and going out of our way to offer choice at every opportunity. Choose the words you use carefully, when taking about what we do to help people: e.g. "feeding” is something we do to our dog; we help Doris with her breakfast.

We tend to think of communication as talking, but in fact it consists of much more than that. A large proportion of our communication is non-verbal, which takes place through gestures, facial expressions and touch.

Listening and watching – this is most important. Listen carefully to what the person is saying, and give them plenty of encouragement. When you haven’t understood fully, tell the person what you have understood and ask them if this is right.

Speaking – Speak slowly, calmly and with short sentences. Allow time between each sentence to give the person time to process what you are saying.

What to say – Try to be positive. If asking a question, try one that results in a choice between 2 things, or a yes/no answer if the person is struggling. Never contradict or use controlling words (shouldn’t, can’t).

Body language – A person with dementia will read your body language, perhaps better than the words you are saying. Never stand too close or stand over someone to communicate: it can feel intimidating. Instead, respect the person’s personal space and drop below their eye level.

Negative feelings which can result from the symptoms of dementia and these feelings can be stressful, particularly if the person is struggling to understand the situation they perceive themselves to be in.

Stress is a natural reaction to a situation which is potentially hazardous or threatening. We all experience this.

Someone with dementia may be experiencing something we can’t see, and which may not be ‘real’. E.g. a stranger coming into their room, needing to get home, being lost in an unfamiliar place. They may not even have the words to explain what they are worried about.

They may react with very strong emotions, and become angry, even physical. Remember that they are responding in a normal way to a situation which they perceive as real.

Be kind, calm, patient and reassuring; listen and watch carefully. Respond to the feelings they are showing you. Like a detective, try to use everything you know about the person, and can see & hear, to work out what is happening for them.

Let them know that you are there for them, are really with them, and will do all you can to help. When they know this, try to distract with an activity, drink, walk, chore, music, phone call etc.

We will do all we can to make mealtimes enjoyable, sociable and an occasion to really look forward to.

The dining room, tables, equipment, and even background music need to be 100% ready when residents enter the dining room.

Ensure people have exactly what they want and need, in the way that is best for them. Offer a visual choice, explaining simply what is being offered, to people with a dementia. Offer a taste sample if this helps. Allow plenty of time for them to decide.

Once everyone has what they want, keep checking to make sure they are managing OK and are eating. If there any problems, sort it out very quickly for them. Then keep checking.

Allow the mealtime to take its own time. Let there be no rush. Enjoy it. Make it a social time. This is the highlight of the day, after all!

Spending time in meaningful activities can continue to be enjoyable and stimulating for people with dementia at all stages of the condition. Taking part in activities based on the interests and abilities of a person with Dementia can also significantly increase their well-being and quality of life.

Activity is not just about the organised events in the home. We can all look for opportunities throughout every day, to add a sense of purpose, fun or relaxation. All staff can take part in this.

Activity can be anything which the person enjoys. This could as simple as sharing a joke, starting a song, a mini dance as walk along with someone, a short conversation about their favourite food, a quick neck-rub, putting some favourite music on, reading the horoscope from the paper, reciting a funny limerick/poem.

Don’t forget the value of occupation. We all like to feel useful. Sharing daily chores can be fulfilling and enjoyable for someone living with dementia.
Try asking for help with bed-making, folding linen, pairing socks, dusting, hanging washing, drying up, serving biscuits, etc

Different people will have different abilities and interests. Always ensure that what you are trying is right for that person, and is something they can do. Nothing is worse than asking someone with dementia to do something they struggle with.

Remember that activity can involve some or all of the 5 senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste. People will enjoy some more than others.

carehome.co.uk is an independent organisation that 'rates' care homes throughout the U.K. based on reviews which the public send to them. carehome.co.uk display these reviews on their website and send them to us to show on our homes' own web pages.

If you wish to know what people think of our support for those living with dementia look at these independent reviews. Select a home from the location search box on our main webpage. Click on the picture of the home selected and then click on the yellow tab 'Reviews' on the right.

At Runwood Homes we believe in the importance of good design to assist our residents living with dementia to feel safe, comfortable and at home. We aim to follow the principles that good design should;

compensate for disability

maximise independence

enhance self-esteem and confidence

demonstrate care for staff

be orientating and understandable

reinforce personal identity

welcome relatives and the local community

allow control of stimuli

Some features have an effect on peoples feelings, and we like to emphasise these in order to enhance feelings of comfort and safety. These features include;